“So what is it that you’re truly after?” - no incremental wins for me, I guess, or not in terms of commercial success, only in terms of “another project completed”.
What I’m after: 1 enjoy the writing itself (putting off the instrumental decisions about publishing haha), and 2 be content that I’m doing the job to honour the bit of talent I was given. I felt a bit guilty many years, thinking, if you get a gift but you’re not putting it to use, you’re wasting it and showing disrespect. Honouring the gift does involve the whole job, of course, from ideation to writing to publishing, so I’m aware the final step needs to be there, too.
Hey, Zoe. Enjoying the writing is something that I have to remind myself to do when trying to meet deadlines and such. There's so many stages to the process and I can get caught up in it all. I like your perspective and your focused drive to honor your talents. It's respectable. Thanks for stopping by to comment!
What a great reminder, Winston, to follow our creative urge wherever it may lead us.
This is my vision: I have 5 books in me that I’ve been sitting on for several years and in one case over a decade. I want to get these stories of my head and onto paper to the best of my ability.
All these stories were inspired by what is happening around us in this world and I plan to dive deep into the topics and themes that I explore with these stories.
It’s a double package of learning, exploring, forming new ideas and using them to write the stories that burn to be written.
I’m shaping my worldview and acquiring the tools and techniques to express it and share it with the world.
I’m happy to have people join me on this path but this is not the main motivation. Writing is too hard to be motivated only by growth. Breaking into the industry is too hard to be motivated only by the desire to ‘make it’.
Find something that burns you inside and make it your life’s work.
"It’s a double package of learning, exploring, forming new ideas and using them to write the stories that burn to be written."
I connect with this so much. The stories we want to tell sometimes aren't ready because we aren't ready to tell them. At least, that's how I've felt with a few of my novels. In a way, it's like the novel is also writing our story by shaping us into the person it needs to express it fully. *mind blown*
I appreciate you and the work you're doing in the realm of climate fiction. I look forward to seeing those 5 novels published someday and on my bookshelf. Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts!
Very well put, writing the stories shapes us into the humans we need to be to write them. For me, it’s a deeply satisfying journey because I get to educate myself on my topics of interest and form and express some ideas that will add to an ongoing dialogue about climate and change. I believe that every human being is capable of and should contribute to the conversation.
I paused at the quotation and thought YES! That's how I feel, and I need to remind myself of it more often. There will always be someone better at this or that, but I'm not offering to be THE BEST; I'm offering my unique perspective. We're so used to reading other people's versions of events (and we're often told that, because they're published, these are the BEST and correct versions and visions.) I think those of us who write just want a chance to tell our side of the story. At least, I suspect that's what motivates me to write. Whether I can convey my vision well or whether anyone sees it too is a different matter, but just being able to create it is what counts.
“So what is it that you’re truly after?” - no incremental wins for me, I guess, or not in terms of commercial success, only in terms of “another project completed”.
What I’m after: 1 enjoy the writing itself (putting off the instrumental decisions about publishing haha), and 2 be content that I’m doing the job to honour the bit of talent I was given. I felt a bit guilty many years, thinking, if you get a gift but you’re not putting it to use, you’re wasting it and showing disrespect. Honouring the gift does involve the whole job, of course, from ideation to writing to publishing, so I’m aware the final step needs to be there, too.
Hey, Zoe. Enjoying the writing is something that I have to remind myself to do when trying to meet deadlines and such. There's so many stages to the process and I can get caught up in it all. I like your perspective and your focused drive to honor your talents. It's respectable. Thanks for stopping by to comment!
What a great reminder, Winston, to follow our creative urge wherever it may lead us.
This is my vision: I have 5 books in me that I’ve been sitting on for several years and in one case over a decade. I want to get these stories of my head and onto paper to the best of my ability.
All these stories were inspired by what is happening around us in this world and I plan to dive deep into the topics and themes that I explore with these stories.
It’s a double package of learning, exploring, forming new ideas and using them to write the stories that burn to be written.
I’m shaping my worldview and acquiring the tools and techniques to express it and share it with the world.
I’m happy to have people join me on this path but this is not the main motivation. Writing is too hard to be motivated only by growth. Breaking into the industry is too hard to be motivated only by the desire to ‘make it’.
Find something that burns you inside and make it your life’s work.
"It’s a double package of learning, exploring, forming new ideas and using them to write the stories that burn to be written."
I connect with this so much. The stories we want to tell sometimes aren't ready because we aren't ready to tell them. At least, that's how I've felt with a few of my novels. In a way, it's like the novel is also writing our story by shaping us into the person it needs to express it fully. *mind blown*
I appreciate you and the work you're doing in the realm of climate fiction. I look forward to seeing those 5 novels published someday and on my bookshelf. Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts!
Ah, thanks so much Winston! 💚
Very well put, writing the stories shapes us into the humans we need to be to write them. For me, it’s a deeply satisfying journey because I get to educate myself on my topics of interest and form and express some ideas that will add to an ongoing dialogue about climate and change. I believe that every human being is capable of and should contribute to the conversation.
How do you get ready for writing your novels?
I paused at the quotation and thought YES! That's how I feel, and I need to remind myself of it more often. There will always be someone better at this or that, but I'm not offering to be THE BEST; I'm offering my unique perspective. We're so used to reading other people's versions of events (and we're often told that, because they're published, these are the BEST and correct versions and visions.) I think those of us who write just want a chance to tell our side of the story. At least, I suspect that's what motivates me to write. Whether I can convey my vision well or whether anyone sees it too is a different matter, but just being able to create it is what counts.